Horologium Achaz, Christophorus Schissler, artifex

Horologium Achaz

Ghristophorus Schissler, Artifex

BY

Julius F. Sachse

"Dolt:
Sl2l

LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

THIS BOOK IS THE GIFT OF

Biihl Foundation

PROCEEDINGS AM. PHIL. SOC.

VOL. XXXIV, No. 147, Plate I.

HOROLOGiUM AGHAZ.

CHRISTOPHORUS SCHISSLER, GEOMETRICUS AC ASTRONOMICUS ARTIFEX,
AUGUST/E, VINDELICORUM, FACIEBAT, 1578.
NOW JN THE CABINET OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

HOROLOGIUM ACHAZ

Christophorus Schissler, Artifex

BY

JULIUS F. SACHSE

A PAPER READ BEFORE

THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
FEBRUARY i, 1895

REPRINTED .FROM THE PROC. AMER. PHILOS. SOC.,,VOL. .
XXXIV, MARCH 12, 189B.

Philadelphia >' > ■>

Press of MacCalla & Company, 237-9 Dock St
189s

Horologiwn Achaz (^Christophorus Schtssler, Artifex),

By Julius F. Sachse.

(Read before the American Philosophical Society, February 1, 1895.)

Among the scientific apparatus, models and philosophical instru-
ments preserved in the cabinets of this Society, there have been
conspicuously displayed two brass plates, finely wrought, engraved,
chased and gilded, without, however, bearing any label explanatory
of their former use or import.

As a matter of fact they are parts of a unique instrument, the
equal of which is not to be found in any museum or scientific col-
lection in the world.

Unfortunately, several parts of this instrument are missing, and
among them the mythological figure which once stood upon the base,
and elevated or held up the larger plate or basin. The gnomon or
rod used to cast a shadow, as well as the apparatus held aloft by the
figure upon the rim, whereby a fine pencil of light was thrown upon
the dial in place of a shadow (Photo-Sciaterica), are also wanting;
the magnetic needle in the small compass in the base has also long
since disappeared.

I have endeavored to restore this instrument as well as I could,
in the absence of any definite account of how it was in its original
state ; for no published description was allowed by the censorship
of the press, for reasons which I will explain in the course of this
paper.

It will be noticed that I have substituted a tripod between base
and dial, in place of the lost figure. The instrument was known
by the mystics and philosophers of old as an *' Horologium
Achaz," or Dial of Achaz.

4 Hflrologmm Achaz {Christophoriis Schissler, Artifex).

The smaller of the two pieces measures five and three-quarter
inches in diameter, and it formed the base of the instrument. It is
made of an alloy, of which silver and copper form the chief ingre-
dients. In a raised centre it contains a compass, one inch in
diameter. The intervening space is arranged in two circles, filled
with mythological deities and mythical marine monsters, all finely
wrought and chased {ciselirt).

If we reverse this base, we find beneath it a finely engraved plate
heavily gilded with an amalgam of fine gold. It is slightly con-
cave. This plate is divided into five panels ; two of these divisions
are graduated for different elevations and bear the following inscrip-
tion, viz.: " Horologii Achaz hydrographica declinatio ad elevat :
Poll 44-45-46, Gradv:" and "47-48-49," respectively. Two
others contain pictorial scenes which will be described later on.
The helix in the centre, which forms the fifth division, contains
the following description, viz.: '' Notat concha isthac hemiciclea
capitis j8 Esaia miracvlvm : nam hanc siaqva labrvm vsque impleveris
vmbra solis 10 imo : zo. gradibvs reh'orsvm fertvr signvni ac gradvm
solis : quin etiam horam dieivvlgarem qvamcvnque vna cvm planetarvm
qvas vacant horis denuncians.'^ ( Translation : " This semicircular
shell explains the miracle of the 38th chapter of Isaiah. For if
you fill a basin altogether with water, the shadow of the sun is
borne backward by ten degrees. Moreover, it indicates any com-
mon hour of the day whatever, together with that of the planets
which they call hours.")

The larger piece is a basin-shaped plate, made of common brass
or gun metal, with a flat, moveable rim one inch wide. Upon this
are engraved the signs of the zodiac. On the reverse of this rim,
which surrounds the large basin, is engraved the following inscrip-
tion : '' Christophorvs Schissler, Geometricvs ac Astronomicvs
Artifex Avgvst^ Vindelicorvm, Faciebat Anno 1578."

The centre or concave part of this plate is ten inches in diameter,

Horologiitin Achaz {Christophoms Schissler, Artifex). 5

and is geometrically divided into the different planetary houses.
The depth of the basin is one and three-quarter inches, and the
whole once formed the dial of the instrument.

The rim is surmounted by a brass figure, three and three-quarter
inches in height, representing an ancient prophet or astrologer, with
the left hand extended so as to hold the "gnomen " used to cast
the shadow or to throw the requisite pencil of light. ,

This instrument was formerly used, nominally, for calculating
nativities, and in the various occult studies wherein the hour of the
day or night, and the position of the planetary system of the heav-
ens took a prominent part, as by its aid it was possible to see, not
only the true time of day by sunlight, and at night by moonlight,
but other solar phenomena, such as the true time of sunrise and
sunset ; the orb's place in the twelve houses of the zodiac ; its perigee
and apogee ; its height above the horizon ; the relative length of
the day and night, as well as many other astrological data.

There is, however, another peculiarity about this instrument.
In the hands of the Astrologus or Magus of the sixteenth century,
it was capable, at the will of the operator, of apparently reversing
the laws of nature. Thus, if the basin was filled with water or any
other translucent liquid, the time marked was advanced or retarded
as many degrees as equal the angle of refraction ; thereby repeating
the miracle of Isaiah.

To thoroughly illustrate this latter fact, as well as the somewhat
obscure inscription within the helix upon the plate beneath the
base, and on the two engraved panels, it will be necessary for us to
make a practical test of the apparatus and to take' up the references
to the instrument as given in Holy Writ, even though it may reflect
somewhat upon the integrity of the prophet of old, who evidently
had some practical inkling of the then unknown laws of refraction.

By referring to the thirty-eighth chapter of the Book of Isaiah,
in the eighth verse we read :

6 Horologiiim Achaz {Christophortis Schissler, Artifex).

" Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is
gone down in the sun-dial of Ahaz ten degrees backward. So the
sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down."

This is what is known as the great miracle of Isaiah, and is por-
trayed in one of the engraved panels upon the base plate of the
instrument. It will be noticed that the invalid sovereign is in his
bed, while the prophet is pointing to a sun-dial, which, however,
in the representation, is a vertical one — a precaution that was
resorted to for obvious reasons by the Augsburg artificer, to distract
attention from the true character of this instrument, in case it
should ever fall into the possession of the profane.

The other engraved panel on the base plate illustrates the twenty-
first verse of the same chapter of the Book of Isaiah, viz.: " For
Isaiah had said. Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plas-
ter upon the boil, and he shall recover. ' '

We have here portrayed the consummation of the miracle. The
king is seen seated upon a throne, with his right leg extended,
while the prophet is applying a poultice of figs to the wicked car-
buncle. An attendant, in the rear, it will be noticed, holds a bas-
ketful of the same remedy in reserve.

The above mention of the " Dial of Achaz " which had the prop-
erty of going backwards ten degrees at the command of the old
prophet, is the earliest reference to any instrument for the purpose
of marking the true time of day of which mention is made in the
world's history.

Achaz, who was the son of Jotham and the eleventh king of
Judah, about the year 771 B.C. went to Damascus to greet his
benefactor, Tiglath Pileser. He saw there a beautiful altar, and
sent working drawings of it to Uriah, the priest in Jerusalem. An
altar was completed against his return. He likewise set up the dial
which is mentioned in the miraculous cure of his son Hezekiah,
thirteen years after the death of Achaz. This is the first dial upon

PROCEEDINGS AM. PHIL. SOC.

VOL. XXXIV, No. 147, Plate II

HOROLOGIUM ACHAZ.

BASE WITH COMPASS. ENGRAVED BASE PLATE.

(size about two-thirds of original.)

Horologitim Achaz {Christophorus Schissler, Artifex). 7

record, and is 140 years before Thales, and nearly 400 years before
Aristotle and Plato, and just a little previous to the lunar eclipses
observed at Babylon as recorded by Ptolemy.

That this instrument and its peculiar properties were not unknown
to the scientific faculty of the Helmstadt University, is shown by
the Memoirs of Uffenbach, that were published at Ulm, in the early
part of the last century. The University at that time was presided
over by Dr. Johann Fabricius (Altdorfinus), who was the former
tutor at Altdorf of Johannes Kelpius, Magister of the Rosicrucian
Community, on the Wissahickon, in Pennsylvania (1694-1708).

Zacharias von Uffenbach, the celebrated scientist and traveler,
and former classmate of the younger Falkner at Halle, notes in the
Index to his Memoirs, Sun-dial, — Hiskia, Where the Shadow Turns
Back, Curieux, ii, 542. But on referring to the place indicated, no
reference whatever to the subject is to be found. The inference is
that the whole matter was, at that time, suppressed by the Censor.
There is, however, a reference to the instrument by the same writer
in another volume of his Memoirs (Vol. i, 252) of which no mention
is to be found in the Index.

Uffenbach, who was always careful to note down the most minute
particulars of any special scientific matters brought to his notice,
states that, while on a visit to the University Library, Abt Schmid
called his attention to a description of this peculiar instrument, and
then continues that " he would attribute the especial discovery of
this peculiar sun-dial to an atheist, and that it would be apt to give
such as had no faith in miracles the idea that this was the sun-dial
which, by the retrogression of its shadow, furnished the sign for King
Hezekiah ; or that it was a similarly constructed instrument having
the same property, and which being known to the prophet, he, on
that account, proposed that particular test to the King."

During a late visit to Europe, a careful search was instituted in
the various museums for a duplicate of this Horologium, but with-

8 Horologium Achaz {Christophorns Schissler, Artifex).

out result. So scarce and sought-after are the specimens of Schiss-
ler's ingenuity, that the great Germanic National Museum at
Nuremberg contains, I think, merely a small pair of dividers from
this great artificer. The museum of his native city, Augsburg, con-
tains nothing whatever of his handiwork.

Failing in my efforts to find a duplicate or a similar instrument in
either Germany or France, by the aid of which our own specimen
might be restored to its original condition, as a matter of interest,
I next endeavored to obtain whatever information was to be had
relative to the ingenious mechanic whose name adorns the rim of our
specimen. Here I was more successful, thanks to the courtesy of
Herr Hans Boesch, Director- in-Chief of the Germanic National
Museum. The following references to the artificer were found in the
Archives of the Museum, viz. :

In Paul von Steffen's account of the " Kunst-, Gewerbt-, u.
Handwerks-Geschichte der Reichsstadt Augsburg," it is recorded,
that more noteworthy than any one is Christophorus Schissler. This
man, according to his apprenticed trade, was a brassworker in a small
way, or brazier. His talents, however, led him into geometry,
mechanics and astronomy. Therefore, he subsequently called
himself a geometric and astronomical master mechanic {^Werk-
meister).

From this artist, continues the old chronicler, there stands in the
Bodleian Library at Oxford, England, a solid gold quadrant, which
measures more than a Rhenish foot square, and has a weight of six
to eight pounds. Upon this instrument is engraved in large letters,
"■ Christophorvs Schissler, Geometricvs ac Astronomicvs Arti-
fex, AUGUSTAE ViNDELICORUM FaCIEBAT, 1579."

I will here state that this quadrant was also known and described
by Zacharias von Uffenbach, who states (Vol. iii, loi, 102) that
it was of pure gold, and was covered with scales, divisions
and calculations, which he thought were poorly executed. The

Horologium Achaz {Christophonis Schissler, Artifex). 9

Librarian of the University at Oxford, however, differed with him,
and gave the opinion that the calculations were of even greater
value than the precious metal qf which the instrument was con-
structed. .

Uffenbach concludes by stating that he would rather have a
quadrant with more modern calculations and divisions, and made
of gilded brass, as then he would not be afraid to put it to a practi-
cal use. He also verifies the dimensions, weight and inscription as
above noted.

Speaking of the inscription, the question was raised here some
time ago as to the meaning of the word " Vindelicorvm " as
applied to this instrument. I will state that the term denotes that
the artificer was descended from the ancient German race of the
Vindelici, whose chief city, in former times, was "Augusta,"
therefore "Avgvstae Vindelicorvm " — the modern Augsburg.

Again referring to the old records in the Germanic National
Museum, it is there stated that Schissler constructed numerous
ingenious scientific apparatus and automata for the Emperor
Rudolph II. of the Holy Roman Empire. This fact alone, con-
tinues the old chronicler, furnishes ample proof of the repute that
the artificer had gained by his proficiency in the mechanical arts.

In the year 1600, Schissler was commissioned by the authorities to
survey and plot his native city and the suburbs as well as the Imperial
Bailiwick (Reichs-Landvogtey). The plan of the city was engraved
on copper by Alexander Mair, a noted artist of that day. The
other plans were stored at the Land Office. (During my search at
Augsburg, none were to be found.)

In the year 1606, Schissler constructed a large Sphcera Arniil-
laris, which he presented to the magistrates of his native town,
and which was there exhibited for many years in the "Stadt-
Bibliothek," but is now missing.

In conclusion, the chronicler states, " in these days (early in the

10 Horologiiim Achaz {Christophoms Schissler, Ariifex).

seventeenth century) many of our learned scientists became profi-
cient in Geometry {Messkunst) but chiefly in Astronomy."

An equally interesting reference was found in the old " Memorial
Buch," wherein one Hector Maire mentions that, in the year 156 1,
Christophorus Schissler constructed the four large sun-dials upon
the "Perlachthurm," at Augsburg, where they still, after^a lapse of
three centuries, mark the time of day.

The Perlachthurm is one of the peculiar landmarks of the ancient
city, at the confluence of the Wertach and the Lech, and com-
mands a view of the surrounding country. This solitary tower, of
which I have here a contemporaneous engraving by Hess, dates
back to the tenth century, but has been altered and restored upon
several occasions, notably towards the close of the sixteenth
century, when it was raised by the celebrated architect, E. Holl, to
its present height of 326 feet. It was on this occasion that Schiss-
ler was commissioned to construct the four sun-dials, two of which
are seen in the engraving. This tower was built as a watch-tower,
to discover the approach of the enemy. At the present time it does
duty as a look-out for the fire patrol.

The old chronicler goes on to state that Schissler received the
sum of 400 florins for his labor on the four dials, while his wife was
given 6 florins for assisting her husband.

The account also says that the survey of the city was commenced
in 1598. Schissler also surveyed, with the aid of his son, the
Lechstrom, completing the work in 1603. From official records it
appears that for five years' labor he received the sum of 500 florins,
in addition to his expenses.

The Memorial Buch further states that his Meisterstuck or chef-
(T ceuvre was placed in the Mathematical Hall of the Z winger, or
Royal Museum at Dresden. It was a quadrativn geometricum, and
bears, beside his usual inscription, the date 1569. This apparatus

PROCEEDINGS AM. PHIL. SOC,

VOL. XXXIV. No. 147, Plate IV,

THE SUNDIALS ON THE PERLACH THURM,

AUGSBURG, GERMANY.
CHRISTOPHORUS SCHISSLER ARTIFEX, 1561.

FROM AN OLD ENGRAVING BY E. HESS.

Horologiiim Achaz {Christophorus Schissler, Artifex). 11

was for the purpose of measuring both elevation and distance, in
which the divisions were given by transverse lines.

He also constructed an ingenious odometer or measuring wheel
(Wegmesser) which is described by Kirchner, p. 221, Ed. Colon.,
1647.

From the above enumerations of Schissler's handicraft, we are safe
in assuming that the Augsburg artificer was one of the most ingeni-
ous mechanics of his time.

In searching for other scientific authorities who were acquainted
with instruments having a similar property, and had left a record of
the fact, it is found that Varenius, in his Geographica Generalis,
makes some general mention of what may be called a refracting
dial.

Leybourne, in his work on Gnomonicks (London, 1682), notes
that such dials were to be made in two ways, one where the gnomon
was hidden all under the water ; the other, where the point was above
the water. Our own specimen was evidently one that combined the
two principles ; a conclusion arrived at by the space for the stylus
on the meridial line, which has been replaced, and the figure upon
the rim, which evidently supported the elevated gnomon upon the
same line.

Ozanan, in his Recreations (London, 1 708), also gives a problem
" to describe a dial by refraction."

The first public mention of, or reference to, the phenomena of the
refraction of light was made by "Willebrord Snellius (i 591-1626),
the celebrated mathematician, shortly before his death, or about a
half century after it had been practically demonstrated by the
Augsburg artificer, as is proven by the specimen here brought to
your notice.

After the death of Snellius, Rene Descartes, by some means,
came into possession of the former's experiments on the refraction of
light; and published an account of the phenomena, in his Principia

12 Horologiiini Achas {Cliristoplionis Schissler, Artifcx).

PhilosophicB, 1637, with several illustrations, from which we may
obtain a possible clue to the missing parts once elevated by the
figure upon the rim of our interesting specimen.

Schotus, in his Magia Universalis., published in 1657, also illus-
trates the refraction of light, PL xxiii, by a simple experiment and
plate. None of the above references to a refracting dial, or the
refraction of light, however, make any reference to the miracle of
Isaiah ; thus showing that our scientific relic is unique of its
kind, and was known only to persons who were intimately versed
in the higher phases of occult philosophy.

The written records of this venerable Society, so far as I have
been able to discover, fail to show just from whom this interesting
relic of Christopher Schissler's handiwork was received, or even
when it came into possession of the Society.

Tradition, however, connects this instrument directly with Dr.
Christopher Witt, the last surviving member of the Rosicrucian
Community, which two hundred years ago was located on the banks
of the romantic Wissahickon, in the vicinity of Philadelphia,
and usually known as the "Hermits on the Ridge." Dr. Witt,
prior to his death in 1765, gave some of his philosophical and
scientific apparatus to the local Philosophical Society, then presided
over by Benjamin Franklin, among which presumably was the speci-
men under discussion.

It will here again be necessary to take a short retrospect, viz. :
Between the years 1 691-1693, a company of religious and philo-
sophical enthusiasts or mystics was organized in Germany. Their pur-
pose was to escape the religious and secular proscription under
which they suffered, by emigation. They naturally cast longing eyes
towards Pennsylvania, where liberty of conscience was assured.

These enthusiasts had all received a liberal education, six of the
number being clergymen. All were members of the theosophical
brotherhood known as " Rosicrucians," and were under the leader-

Horologium Achaz {Christophorus Schissler, Artifex). 13

ship of Magister Johann Jacob Zimmermann, who, as you will see
by reference to the reports of the Royal Society, was one of the
most noted astronomers of the time in Europe. It is to the posses-
sion of this philosopher that this instrument has been traced, prior
to his leaving Nuremberg. When finally the " Chapter of Perfec-
tion," consisting of the mystic number of forty, was completed,
the start was made from the two rallying points, Halberstadt and
Magdeburg, for Rotterdam, whence they were to embark for the
New World.

Upon the very eve of embarkation, Magister Zimmermann died.
The vessel, containing his effects, sailed for America, and Johann
Kelpius was elected Magister in his stead ; under his guidance, the
party of mystic philosophers came to these shores, and upon the
romantic banks of the Wissahickon erected a tabernacle in the
forest, suited to their occult studies and researches. The structure
was surmounted by a "Lantern or Observatory" {Sternwarte), in
which a nightly watch was kept for celestial phenomena. This was
the first regular observatory established in North America.

It is a noteworthy fact in connection with this community, that
here in the wilds of the New World were practiced the various mys-
teries and rites of occult philosophy and esoteric theosophy.

Here the crucible of the alchemist frequently fumed until long
after midnight, while the alembic of the Magister was distilling
juices of herbs gathered at the dark of the moon, in the hope of
discovering the "Philosopher's Stone " or the "Elixir of Life," —
in contrast, as it were, to the lonely watch maintained in the
" Sternwarte " on the lookout for the harbinger of the Bridegroom,
who was to appear in silky holiness.

Some of the horoscopes that were calculated and cast by these
Hermetic philosophers, on the Wissahickon, are still treasured as
precious heirlooms among some of the leading families of this State.

To return to o^x Horologium. It is known that after the death of